Seaside Heights hires new towing firm amid probes

Jan. 7, 2013

Written by

Kristi Funderburk

@kfunder

SEASIDE HEIGHTS — The borough has put the brakes on its contract with a towing company accused of price gouging after superstorm Sandy, at least until investigations into the Toms River business are resolved, officials said.

For the next month, towing in the Shore town will be handled by Seaside Park Service Center instead of APK Auto Repair and Towing, which has been the only company allowed to tow vehicles in town under a three-year contract that expires at the end of this year.

During that time, Seaside Heights officials await the results of investigations into APK and do their own research to decide if the company breached its contract with the borough, administrator John Camera said. A breach could lead the borough to end its contract, and ties, with the company, he said.

“We’ll certainly be watching for the outcome of the investigation, but until there is an outcome, we don’t think it’s prudent or fair to approve a contract with them,” Camera said.

The resident complaints prompted investigations by the state Division of Consumer Affairs and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office. In November, the state and APK reached an agreement to allow residents to reclaim their vehicles, at no cost, while the investigation continued.

Last week, when the borough approved a 30-day contract with Seaside Park Service Center, officials from both agencies confirmed their investigations remain open.

“We’re looking into any potential criminal conduct that may have arose as a result of the storm,” said Michel Paulhus, executive assistant prosecutor for the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.

Steven Secare, the attorney representing APK, said in November that billing mistakes were made and the worker responsible for billing during the storm was fired. He said last week the state Consumer Affairs officials have deemed his clients “nothing but cooperative and helpful” during the investigation.

Secare said he couldn’t comment on the Seaside Heights council’s decision, but noted APK hopes to keep working with Seaside Heights.

Ray Sandquist, 53, a displaced resident of Carteret Avenue, said he thinks the borough should work with a new company.

After the storm, Sandquist called APK to move his 1996 Ford pickup from Seaside Heights to his temporary residence in Toms River, but it was taken to an impound lot instead, he said. His bill, originally quoted at $200, totaled $473 when he went to get his truck back, he said.

“I lost money because of APK, but my opinion is the way they reacted to customers in Seaside Heights was wrong,” Sandquist said.